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ABB Ltd., provider of electricity and automation technologies, reported a robust growth in its stand-alone net profit for the fourth-quarter, led by effective cost control. The Bangalore-based company's fourth-quarter stand-alone net profit rose more than three-fold to INR 58.59 crore from INR 16.77 crore in the fourth-quarter of last year. The company said relentless execution and cost focus improved margin and cash position.

For the quarter, its net sales increased by six percent to INR 2,174.91 crore from INR 2,052.76 crore in the year-ago quarter, while other operating income amounted to INR 28.96 crore, compared with INR 29.52 crore in the preceding year quarter.

For the quarter, income from "Power Systems"segment was INR 676.33 crore, higher by 13 percent from the INR 598.99 crore in the corresponding quarter last year, while that of "Power Products" rose by ten percent to INR 643.86 crore from INR 584.43 crore last year.

Income for the quarter from "Process Automation" segment stood at INR 345.80 crore, down by 16 percent from INR 409.79 crore for the comparable period last year, whereas income from "Discrete Automation and Motion" segment stood at INR 497.25 crore, flat with last year's INR 493.39 crore.

income from "Low Voltage Products" segment was INR 205.84 crore, compared with INR 168.26 crore in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 22 percent. The fourth-quarter saw an order intake of INR 1,666 crore, up by six percent from INR 1,579 crore in the previous year quarter.

For the twelve-month period, ABB's stand-alone net profit was INR 176.89 crore, up by 29 percent from INR 137.41 crore for the comparable period last year. Net sales and other other operating income touched INR 7,721.99 crore, compared with INR 7,564.99 crore in the corresponding period a year-ago, an increase of two percent.

The company's order book for the full year stood at INR .6,717 crore. The company said it was well positioned with an order backlog of INR 7,709 crore as at the end of December 2013, providing necessary visibility to future revenues, the company said.

Its board has recommended a dividend of INR 3.00 per equity share of INR 2 each for the fiscal year 2013. Managing Director Bazmi Husain, said "2013 witnessed a steady improvement in margins of the company. While market uncertainties continue, our intensified efforts to remain cost competitive and strengthen project management have borne visible results. Our capacities are ready to address the next phase of growth as the market improves - the new PASS, GIS factory reinforces our technology focus and commitment to the India growth story. Overall, we remain aligned to charting a course of profitable growth backed by business led collaboration and relentless execution." ABB shares at the are currently trading at INR 659, up INR 68 or 11.51 percent on a volume of around 414,000 shares.

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